Fabrication of magnetic HAP-GO-PES membrane for cobalt removal

Polymeric membrane, polyethersulfone (PES) was fabricated to increase their separation process performance and characteristics. It was fabricated by using magnetic hydroxyapatite (MHAP) Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles together with graphene oxide (GO). They act as additive and adsorbent were prepared by using modified Hummer’s method. The fabricated polymeric membrane, MHAPGO-PES was prepared by phase inversion process. GO, MHAP and MHAPGO-PES characteristics were determined by using Fourier Transform IR spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Water Contact Angle measurement. Fabricated membrane performance test was carried out by two tests which were Pure Water Flux (PWF) test and heavy metal removal by using cobalt ion. From that, the advantages of adding the MHAPGO into PES were identified. GO showed beneficial effects when incorporated into PES by increasing hydrophilicty of the membrane because of the nature hydrophilic behavior of GO. It was approved by Water Contact Angle measurement that the fabricated membrane increased their hydrophilicity as the concentration of the MHAPGO increased. After fabrication, the water flux ratio increases as the concentration of the additives added increases from 18.82 to 324.95 L/m² .hr for pressure at 1 bar. Same as for the pressure at 2 bar, the water flux increase from 17.66 to 396.10 L/m² .hr. The rejection rate for cobalt removal was range in 94% to 98%. From the result obtained, it concluded that MHAPGO acted as an effective additive for membrane fabrication.